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Revisions [message #337336]

Mon, 28 April 2008 13:56

OTR-jkl
Messages: 754
Registered: April 2004
Location: D/FW, Tx.

Gold Member

On this particular unattended session (I'm in Tx, client is in Chicago), I rcv'd a song file for mastering. I worked it up and send a portion of it for approval. I've already done 1 song for the same client and been paid for that but have not yet rcv'd any payment for this 2nd tune.

After mastering, he heard something in his mix that he wanted to adjust (maracca too loud) so I told him he could make the change and send me the new file to just replace the original with, barring there were no other changes and I could use the same settings as the 1st pass. New file shows up today and, upon listening, there are some major changes to the entire mix - bottom end thinner, top is brighter, harsher and overall level has changed. It will require me to start from scratch and redo the song from square one. Sounds to me like he's tried to tailor his mix after what he heard as the result of the mastering - to make his mix sound more like the mastered version.

I told him that if he wants me to proceed with this new file that I will have to treat is as a new project since I will have to start from scratch. Otherwise, he can go back to the previous mix and only make the percussion adjustment and send me that file. I also offered to make a revision to my work if necessary, both at no charge.

Do you think this is the correct policy? How do you guys handle these situations?

Thanks.

J Lowes · OTR Mastering
Professional Audio Production for Life
www.ShoutLife.com/OTRMastering

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Re: Revisions [message #337343 is a reply to message #337336 ]

Mon, 28 April 2008 14:05

bigaudioblowhard
Messages: 847
Registered: February 2005
Location: Los Angeles

Gold Member

I usually eat it in this situation, which I "very gently" articulate to the client, who usually appreciates it and sends more work or referrals. it works out in the end. for one song, c'mon?

OTOH, no good deed goes unpunished.

bab

mark@littleredbookmastering.com

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Re: Revisions [message #337383 is a reply to message #337343 ]

Mon, 28 April 2008 16:09

crna59
Messages: 124
Registered: March 2006
Location: Seattle

Active Member

I agree... Hey.. if it's just one song and a repeat customer, of course.

Regards,
Bruce

Puget Sound Studios
Bruce A. Brown
Mastering & Post Production
Seattle, WA

It is easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission! Buy! Buy buy....

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Re: Revisions [message #337422 is a reply to message #337336 ]

Mon, 28 April 2008 17:37

Thomas W. Bethel
Messages: 1088
Registered: May 2004
Location: Oberlin, Ohio

Platinum Member

One revision for a good client - consider it "value added" and good for the "word of mouth" ad network.

The revisions I don't like are the one where the artist says they want to change something minor in one song and by the time you are done with all the minor revisions you have remastered the entire album.

The other situation that sucks is where there is an unseen third party that is passing judgment on what you are doing and even though you never meet them they are the ones really controlling what the artist wants. This becomes a no win situation and these types of arrangements can get very complicated very quickly. You do something to the mastering the artist takes it home saying they like the changes but the next day call you up and have all kinds of nit picking changes that they never mentioned in the session since they are not the final judge and you must please the unknown "friend or significant other" in order for the artist to sign off on the revision(s). I had one like that a couple of months back and I finally asked the artist to have the "other" person present at the next session so I could have direct feedback from them. It worked and we got the project done. Turns out it was a "golden eared" audiophile who was playing back my stuff on his B&O speakers and did not like the sound.... When he came to the studio he was convinced that he would not like what I was doing but went home a convert.

-TOM-

Thomas W. Bethel
Managing Director
Acoustik Musik, Ltd.
Room With a View Productions
http://www.acoustikmusik.com/

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Re: Revisions [message #337444 is a reply to message #337336 ]

Mon, 28 April 2008 18:32

TotalSonic
Messages: 2559
Registered: May 2004
Location: Brooklyn, New York

Platinum Member

I've seen lots of variation in revision policies from studios - ranging from absolutely every bit of work done billed - all the way to endless revisions uncharged for. I find that both extremes are unsuitable to me - as I sympathize with clients that they might want changes after hearing their first ref and if the order is unattended then there's no accounting for which direction they'll necessarilly want to go for their revision requests - but also find that if you offer endless revisions for free there are occasional clients that will in fact abuse this good will to the extreme and will lead to simply too many unbilled hours for this policy to make any sense business wise.

My own general policy is to give one entire revision done completely for free - but do consider that a new mix constitutes a new order - so usually that would be billed for. I bend my rules to favor the client if the demands are reasonable and if by doing so it generates actual good will that will lead to return business and good word of mouth.

My exact policies regarding revisions for those curious can be read at http://www.totalsonic.net/revisions.htm

Unlike others who kind of make up their "rules" regarding revisions on the fly I find that it really helps for clients to understand prior to ordering the exact policy on this so that they are not unprepared or offended when you tell them you need extra cash to continue work on their order. I've found that spelling out the terms and conditions in easy to understand language really helps to maintain good will throughout the order.

Best regards,
Steve Berson

http://www.totalsonicmastering.com
http://www.myspace.com/invertstrings
http://www.invertmusic.org

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Re: Revisions [message #337449 is a reply to message #337336 ]

Mon, 28 April 2008 18:43

jdg
Messages: 458
Registered: October 2005
Location: Seattle

Active Member

for me its becoming: a new mix after mastering (esp if parts have been burned) is billable, changes based on taste, i'll eat.

but usually, i just let it all slide.

make mine a pony

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Re: Revisions [message #337571 is a reply to message #337449 ]

Tue, 29 April 2008 08:03

lowland
Messages: 347
Registered: April 2004
Location: Essex, UK

Active Member

As with Steve B, mastering jobs here include one set of revisions in the price - though I don't usually mention this upfront so it can come as a pleasant surprise to the client! Mostly these tend to be changes of gap length, running order, that kind of thing - I don't readily remember the last time I really didn't 'get it' and had to do things over, but it's some years.

If presented with remixes after the first ref. when the customer may be hearing stuff they hadn't previously, I generally bite the bullet with a friendly pep talk, telling them that there's a limit to how far I can go without additional cost. For the first time recently I had a project that went to several mix revisions (all mix, not mastering issues) and did actually make a modest extra charge at the end, with the customer's full agreement.

Nigel Palmer
Lowland Masters
Essex, UK
www.lowlandmasters.com

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Re: Revisions [message #337629 is a reply to message #337336 ]

Tue, 29 April 2008 12:35

Darius van H
Messages: 13
Registered: February 2008

Member

I think it all depends on how busy you are........if you're not that busy, and are still building a client base, then i'd eat it.

I'm getting to the point of busy-ness where i'm going to have to start being more strict about this stuff, and less nice.

www.wisseloordmastering.com

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